SOLAR POWER SYSTEM

 Solar Power System 

What Is Solar Power System 

Solar Power System converts sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy generates electricity. This electricity can be utilized not only for personal use but also can be stored in solar batteries as well feed to national grid.

The Three Types of Solar Power System

1. On-Grid : Also known as a grid-tied solar power system.
2. Off-Grid : Also known as a stand alone solar power system.
3. Hybrid : The system that uses batteries for storage and in connection with grid.

It typically consist of solar panels, inverters, mounting structure and some times batteries for energy storage.

Solar Panel :Sun light is converted into direct current (DC) electricity through solar panels, which contains photovoltaic cells. These cells are called PV cells. the cells are made of materials that produce excited electrons when they are exposed to the sunlight. Electrons flow in a circuit to produce direct current (DC), which is used to be powered various devices or can be stored in batteries as well.

Types of Solar Panels : There are three types of Solar Panels, given as below:

• Monocrystalline Panels :  These panels are made from black colored single silicon crystal. They have an octagonal shape.

• Polycrystalline Panels : These panels are made from blue colored multi silicon crystals. They have a square shape. 

• Thin Film Panels : These are made of one or more layers of different materials such as Amorphous silicon (a-Si), Cadmium (GaAs) and Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS). They are applicable on different substrates like metal, plastic and glass. They are light-weight.

The materials and structure of a solar cell depends on the technology used to manufacture the solar cell.   A P-N Junction have P-type crystalline silicon wafers that are positively charged and N-type crystalline silicon wafers that are negatively charged.  Following are some popular technologies using to-day for manufacturing solar cells :!

P-Type : P-type solar panels have a structure of c-Si wafers, doping by Boron or Gallium, that produces fewer electrons and positive charge. P-type panels are dipped in Boron that interacts with oxygen and resulting a decrease performance by up to 10% over the time 

N-Type : N-type solar panels have a structure of c-Si wafers, doping by Phosphorous, that produces additional free electrons and negative charge.  N-type solar cells are dipped in Phosphorus , so they are immune to boron-oxygen defects, they are more efficient and are not affected by light-induced degradation. 

 

Single Glass Solar Module : Are also called Mono-facial Solar Panels.  As the name shows, there is a layer of glass on the front of module. Typically they are manufactured by a combination of glass, EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and a back sheet. They are light weight and simple to install, also low in price.

Double Glass Solar Module : Are also called Bi-facial Solar Panels. As the name shows, it's a contrast of single glass solar panels. They have a transparent layer on both, front and back side. These layers are capable to capture sunlight from  both sides. The space between the two glass layers is often filled with a transparent encapsulant. This module if more efficient, more durable and have a better temperature tolerance. They are heavier and complicated to install, also high in price.

Standard Solar Panel Sizes and Capacity

Solar panels are available in various sizes and capacities to cater to different installation requirements and energy needs. It depends on the factors like your budget, available space and your energy needs. There are so many choices, you have to pick the right one.

Inverter : Inverter is a device which converts the variable direct current (DC) output into an alternative current  (AC), produced by solar panel . That can be transferred to a commercial electrical grid or a local off-grid consumer

                                                                           

Mounting Structure : Mounting Structure is the key component that helps to maximize energy generation by keeping the panels at the right angle to capture maximum sunlight. These frameworks are designed to face various environmental conditions, such as rain, wind storm and extreme hot temperature. Additionally it provides protection to the panels from damage, also easy access for repair or maintenance.

Types Of Mounting Structure  : Some commonly known mounting structure types are these.

• Roof Mounting Structure
• Directly assembled to a building's roof whether residential or commercial.

• Tracking Mounting System
• This system follows the movement of sun and adjust the panel angle.

• Ground Mounting Structure
• Ideally these mounts are installed on a large scale open fields.

• Pole Mounting Structure
• Using single of multiple panels mounted of a pole.

• Carport Mounting Structure 
• Mounting on a carport or parking area to provide both shade and energy.

Components Required For Solar Mounting Structure

•  Rooftop Anchor (aluminum or steel)
• Mounting Stand
• Mounting Frame
• A Unique Key Lock System
• Bolts
• Clamps
  
  
  

Cables or Wires : High quality electrical cables are specifically designed that are used for Solar Power System. Such materials are used that can endure and survive with extreme weather conditions. Solar Cables should ensure the electricity transmission safe and efficient throughout the system. Solar cables are available in different sizes and lengths to accommodate any system configurations.

Solar cables should be certified as international safety standards. They should have ability to minimize energy losses, maximizing system's efficiency. Commonly they are of 4mm², 6mm² and 10mm² sizes. 

Batteries :  Solar batteries are different in capacity than normal batteries. Solar batteries can store more energy to reserve the electricity which is generated by solar panels using sunlight and can be used after sunset or at night. Also sometimes during low sunlight.

Direction And Angle of Solar Panels: It is important to install solar panels where sunlight hits panels as much as possible. A remarkable effect on the efficiency of your system is to understand the direction and position of your panels. An easy formula to find out the best angle and direction for your solar panels is to add 15 degrees to your area's latitude in the winter and minus 15 degrees to your area's latitude in summer. The performance of solar panels most likely depends on the weather conditions of the area, you are living in.

 

Net Metering : Solar consumers who generate electricity via Solar Power System are enable to feed excess electricity to National Grid after personal use.

Net metering offers you to compensate the surplus or you can reduce electricity bill against your monthly electricity bill.

Benefits of Solar Power System 

• Levels pollution or greenhouse gas emissions to zero
• Long term saving
• Decrease energy bills
• Independency in energy production
• Independency in electricity usage
• Assured sustainable future
• Helpful for climate
• Easy to maintain
• Smart usage of natural resources

Conclusion :

In conclusion, Solar Power System is most efficient and reliable source of generating electricity using sunlight. It is a clean, cost-effective and reliable source of energy. With advancement in technology, solar power system have become more efficient and affordable both for residential and commercial applications. Provides lots of benefits such as power independency, saving in terms of heavy electricity bills, long-term investment and is also environmental friendly.

Will AI Take My Job?

 

Will AI Take My Job?

“Is AI going to take my job?”, might be the question in your head, since you may have heard AI will be replacing a lot of jobs. But first let’s understand what AI is?

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence (AI), a term coined by emeritus Stanford Professor John McCarthy in 1955, was defined by him as “the science and engineering of making intelligent machines”. Much research has humans program machines to behave in a clever way, like playing chess, but, today, we emphasize machines that can learn, at least somewhat like human beings do.

AI has existed for decades, but it has started to become a commonly used term in recent years. Over the years, it has been used by many businesses for speech recognition, recommendation algorithms, detecting frauds, cyber security etc. Today we are living in a world, where AI is being incorporated in almost every sector.

ChatGPT turns out to be that one tool that introduced AI on a massive level to individuals. ChatGPT is a powerful tool by Open AI that can answer your questions, write your assignments, tell you a poem, write you a song, write computer codes, and, much more. According to The Verge, ChatGPT managed to gain around 100 million users within two months. ChatGPT created a new record, leaving behind tech giants such as Facebook which gained 100 million users in four and half years of its launch in 2004, Twitter took over five years and Instagram took over two years.

AI like ChatGPT is generative AI. These kinds of AI analyses data to generate new content, like, photo, video, texts, audio etc. Generative AI is a kind of AI that can perform tasks, that until now were considered tasks only to be performed by humans. The rapid advancements in AI are said to have an effect on jobs and at workplace, and the world has already begun to witness it.

According to a report published in Financial Times, tech companies have axed 34,000 jobs as they begin to invest in other areas like generative artificial intelligence to power their next phase of growth. Microsoft, eBay, Snap and PayPal are companies that have scrapped hundreds or thousands of roles since the beginning of January, according to the website Layoffs.fyi, which tracks the attrition in the industry.

Tech giant Meta, which owns massive social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has cut more than 20,000 jobs since 2022 as investors complained about the billions of dollars going into building a metaverse.

A report published in Yahoo Finance stated, IBM also plans to replace nearly 8000 jobs with AI, with intensified job cuts replacing 30% of back-office jobs like HR.

AI is the poster child of the fourth industrial revolution. It for sure is going to change the workplace, but the question is how much? Analysts present mixed responses on impact of AI on jobs. Changes at the workplace and on jobs by AI won’t be the first time, new technology and advancements in technology are changing and shifting the workplace. As technology advances, societies and work are bound to change. With all the advancements there is a certain level of change and discomfort, forcing humans to adapt and embrace these changes, whether they want it or not.

According to TIME Magazine, a study conducted by MIT researchers suggests automation might be slower than we think. The researchers at MIT’s computer science and artificial intelligence laboratory studied not only whether AI was able to perform a task, but also whether it made economic sense for firms to replace humans performing those tasks in the wider context of the labor market.

They found that while computer vision AI is today capable of automating tasks that account for 1.6% of worker wages in the U.S. economy (excluding agriculture), only 23% of those wages (0.4% of the economy as a whole) would, at today’s costs, be cheaper for firms to automate instead of paying human workers. “Overall, our findings suggest that AI job displacement will be substantial, but also gradual—and therefore there is room for [government] policy and retraining to mitigate unemployment impacts,” the authors write.

The bigger picture around AI is still quite mixed. It’s an evolving and growing industry. This means jobs are being created and new skills will be needed, and in areas where there is a shortage of skills AI can be used. AI can be used to cut out a few tasks or enhance working. With many workers, and students are beginning to use ChatGPT in their daily use, helps them with research, summarization of text etc. Clearly, AI is no longer a tool being used for cheating on homework by students. It’s being used for hiring processes, education, and medical science.

According to the World Economic Forum, surveys conducted from the Future of Jobs Report 2023 suggest high job growth between 2003 – 2027 for professions like agricultural equipment operators, drivers who operate heavy trucks and buses, vocational training teachers and mechanics and machinery repairs. The report tells us one thing that the human brain is still more valuable than AI. Jobs in agriculture, education, supply chain and logistics are expected to grow.

According to a report published in Forbes in 2023, the jobs most impacted are Finance and Banking, Media and Marketing and Legal Services. Meanwhile, jobs said to be least impacted are Manufacturing and factory workers, Agriculture and Healthcare.

AI can increasingly help or beat us at certain tasks. Eventually, it will be needed on urgent basis to identify the tasks, where AI can do better than humans and where humans can add more value and perform tasks better than AI. Every technology has its own set of limitations. Technology like AI also has its limitations, as it depends on already existing data collected and created by humans. It raises concerns regarding privacy and liberty, biases and discrimination, and, design faults and other mistakes. AI is only as accurate as the data sets it is trained on. This data could be biased, outdated or unrepresented.

Popular AI tool ChatGPT also has a disclaimer on its website that says.

“ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places or facts.”

No matter what, AI is here to stay and impact our lives in various ways. It’s important to understand that AI lacks human sentient. AI can also lack the ability to judge truth and authenticity. Efforts being made to make AI sentient. The idea that artificial intelligence lacks human sentiment and empathy and we will have machines thinking like humans raises a lot of concerns, fears, and ethical questions.

In conclusion, AI and its use is more about how humans will use it and how much they want to use it. It’s humans vs humans with AI. AI is definitely the future, but it still cannot replace human intelligence. AI will improve industries and quality of life. But like every new technology, AI will need regulations and need to address data privacy concerns and downsizing. AI is no different from other technologies that exist, holding so much potential that could either go a good way or a bad way, depending on its use. It’s up to us, governments and stakeholders to regulate it and figure out ways that benefit us and enhance productivity and improve quality of life.

THE VITAMIN INSIDER

 

Vitamin A

• Vitamin A is also known as 'Retinol.'
• It is a fat soluble vitamin.
• Found in animal sources such as cheese, butter, cream, eggs, liver, and fortified milk.
• Found in sweet potatoes, spinach, liver, carrots, fish eggs and dairy products.
• Found in dark orange fruits such as cantaloupe and apricots.
• Good for eyes, boosts immune system, reduces risk of cancer and supports bone health.
• Deficiency of Vitamin A can cause night blindness and hardening of cornea in the eyes.

Vitamin B

• Its a group of eight essential vitamins :-
• B1 (Thiamin) - B2 (Riboflavin) - B3 (Niacin or Nicotinic acid) - B5 (Pantothenic acid) - B6 (Pyridoxine) - B7 (Biotin) - B9 (Folic acid) - B12 (Cobalamin)
• All of these vitamins are water soluble.
• Each vitamin has a unique role in the body.
• Found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and leafy green vegetables.
• Also found in fruits such as apples, banana and avocado.
• Seeds also contain vitamin B, such as chia seeds, flax seeds and sunflower seeds.
• Take a B-Complex supplement to get enough of important nutrients.
• Deficiency of Vitamin B can cause tiredness, weakness, slow reflexes, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anaemia. 

Vitamin C

• Vitamin C is also known as 'Ascorbic acid.'
• It is a water soluble vitamin.
• It is found only in fruits and vegetables.
• Found in citrus fruits, kiwi, mango, guava, strawberries, papaya, and plum.
• Found in potato, tomato, red and green peppers, cabbage, broccoli and spinach.
• It is an antioxidant, helps to form and maintain bones and cartilage, good for skin, supports immune system.
• Deficiency of Vitamin C can cause scurvy and bleeding of gums.

Vitamin D

• Vitamin D is also known as 'Calciferol.'
• It is a fat soluble vitamin.
• Found in fatty fish, egg yolk, red meat, liver, orange, banana, and mushrooms.
• When skin is exposed to sunlight, cholesterol is converted into Vitamin D.
• Helps to absorb calcium, protects from osteoporosis, essential for healthy skin, regulates blood sugar level, improves immunity. 
• Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause rickets, softening of bones in kids, and improper growth of bones.

Vitamin E

• Vitamin E is also known as 'Tocopherol.'
• It is a fat soluble vitamin.
• Found in sunflower seeds, soybean, cottonseed, whole grain products, almonds, peanuts, spinach, pumpkin, red bell pepper, mango, and avocado.
• Vitamin E enhances immune function, prevents blood clotting, antioxidant, stops aging, anti cancer, improves the vision.
• Deficiency of Vitamin E can cause fragility of RBCs, weakening of muscles, numbness, and coordination difficulties. 

Vitamin K

• Vitamin K is also known as 'Phylloquinone.'
• It is a fat soluble vitamin.
• Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting in case of injury, cut or wound.
• Found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale; green vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli and also produced in bacteria's intestinal tract.
• Deficiency of Vitamin K can cause bleeding (hemmorhage), nose bleeding, bleeding into the skin, and sever deficiency can cause bleeding to death in case of injury, cut or wound.